I had been experiencing some minor pain for a few days, and my imagination was running away with itself, developing it into a major health scare. Being so used to working hard and doing lots of things at once, I was feeling frustrated, not wanting to be confined by illness or treatments. So, I complained with fervor to the Lord, wishing that I could just get on with my life with the energy and drive that I used to have in my younger days.

Later that morning, I met a friend for a cuppa. This friend has much bigger health issues than I’d ever experienced and has suffered for such a long time. There, sitting beside me, was a wonderful person who loved God with all her heart and was such a blessing to me and others, despite everything that she has been through.

Suddenly, I saw my complaints earlier that day for what they really were; very petty, unreasonable and selfish.

What I have to realize is, that my body isn’t young anymore, and that age brings with it certain boundaries not there in the past.

However, God’s love for me is not restricted by the state of my health or physical restrictions, nor is His ability to use me for His glory. God is able to use me, even though the way He uses me will change in accordance to the limitations of my older life. Because of His great love for me, He chastened me by using this very special lady in such a special way. She acted as God’s rod.

Spare the rod, spoil the child, indeed. Have you been on the receiving end of God’s rod?

Born in Mount Isa, Queensland, in northern Australia, the eldest of five children of Salvation Army Officers, Helen Brown lived an almost nomadic life until she was fifteen years of age. However, she discovered books as a preteen and read a lot, well into the night and occasionally all night.
Two stories that captured her imagination were: “Anne of Green Gables” and “Little Women”. Just like the heroines in these stories, she wanted to write. A learning disability, which was not corrected until she was in her thirties, meant that schooling was a real struggle. It also meant that her dream seemed to be a distant mirage.
The struggle of raising five children and being a wife to a shearer/farmer in a small town, taught her a lot about life and the grace of God. During this time, she also completed her teaching degree and worked many casual jobs, in order to ensure that the farm was viable.
Today, she continues to write, with several books to her name now, while still living at the farm on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia.

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6 Comments

Joyce Graves
on October 25, 2016 at 6:35 am

Helen, thank you for sharing your testimony with us today. You have been through many serious health issues in your life.

It reminds me of the times when I would not pray to Him to remove pain or illness in my own body because I knew so many around me who were suffering from much bigger things. I felt unworthy to mention my little issues. It is very humbling, isn’t it?

We are so blessed to have you as a contributor on our blog ministry team as we open up our hearts to send our messages to others around the world.

I often say that when God is trying to tell me something and I don’t listen, He taps me on the shoulder three times and then, whacks me on the head. haha! I need to listen more closely for His message.

Oh, Helen, my whole Christian walk. I never see myself as needing the rod, but I sure have. I have just been through a spanking session. Don’t think they will ever stop before I get to be with Him. The 23rd Psalm..thy rod and staff comfort me…
Yes, even the rod used on us, not just the predators, is a comfort that He is our caring Father. He chastises those He loves.